If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, Grand Circle travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at FREE or low-cost Single Supplements, saving up to $5000 per person.

FREE or Low-Cost Single Supplements

If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, Grand Circle travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at FREE or low-cost Single Supplements, saving up to $5000 per person.

FREE Single Supplements on All Adventures and Extensions

If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, OAT travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at no extra cost, saving up to $3795 per person.

Grand Circle Foundation: Single Supplements

There is a supplement of $425 for single room accommodations. Single rooms are very limited.

Share your love of travel and earn rewards

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Day by Day Itinerary

During this national park tour, you'll discover the spirit of the West—epic, wild, and rugged, which is at the heart of the American experience. And the national park is a uniquely American concept—begun with Yellowstone, the model for the protection of our national heritage. Discover five national parks—Yellowstone, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Grand Teton, the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park—as you traverse six Western states. Explore the natural and man-made marvels of the American West, from the rugged faces on Mount Rushmore to red desert rocks and lush green canyons. Join us on this National Parks tour and witness some of the most magnificent, majestic settings on Earth—and enjoy the exceptional value Grand Circle offers.

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Your arrival time in Rapid City will depend on your departure city. When you arrive, you can settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Or begin your stay earlier with our optional pre-trip extension in the Dakota Badlands.

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This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by an orientation briefing about your tour. After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Rapid City on your way to visit Crazy Horse Memorial—visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest sculpture, now being constructed just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore. Begun in 1948 by noted sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Native Americans, the Memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor's studio, and a 40,000-square-foot Orientation Center. The dramatic sculpture of the legendary chief astride his horse fulfills the wish of Lakota Chief Standing Bear spoken at the dedication of the statue in 1948: "My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes, too." Here, you'll have an opportunity to marvel at the massive statue, and also visit the studio where Ziolkowski worked without pay until his death in 1982.

Continue on to Mount Rushmore. Certainly you've seen photographs and films (remember Hitchcock's North by Northwest?) of this famous monument—with the heads of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt—sculpted out of the solid granite mountain face to commemorate 150 years of American history. But nothing can compare with viewing it firsthand.

Enjoy an independent lunch on site, and then head back into the Black Hills. You'll spend the late afternoon at leisure in downtown Rapid City. You may visit the Prairie's Edge and admire its Native American arts and crafts.

This evening, share a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at your hotel.

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After breakfast, you'll depart Rapid City and travel through the South Dakota and Wyoming Black Hills.

Continue on to an included tour at Devil’s Tower. Established in 1906, this is our nation’s first National Monument. The tower stands 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River—an almost vertical natural monolith; it’s the remnant of an ancient volcano. Known by some northern plains tribes as Mato Tipi (Bear’s Lodge), it is still a sacred site of worship for many Native Americans. You’ll recognize the massive rock as the landing site of the alien spacecraft in the popular film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. From there, continue to Sheridan, where dinner is on your own this evening.

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This morning, you travel to Cody. Along the way, majestic scenery—ranging from high plains trails to badlands and canyons with magnificent gorges—greets you as you travel through such romantic regions as the Bighorn Mountains and Shell Falls.

Stop for a unique learning experience at Dirty Annie’s Country Store, a local landmark where you’ll enjoy lunch on your own, and then regroup to learn about the area’s fossils. You might even have the opportunity to look for some yourself.

Cody was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896, and is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Widely regarded as one of America's finest Western museums, the center advances knowledge about the American West through acquiring, exhibiting, and interpreting collections of artifacts and preserving their physical and contextual integrity. It features five internationally acclaimed museums under one roof—the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the Draper Museum of Natural History. Your visit here is an excellent opportunity to acclimate yourself to the history and culture of the lands you'll be visiting over the next few days.

The rest of your evening is at leisure. Dinner is on your own tonight.

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Today after breakfast, depart Cody for a scenic drive to West Yellowstone, Montana. This relaxed small town serves as a perfect gateway to Yellowstone National Park. During this all-day transfer, you’ll stop en route at Mammoth Hot Springs to enjoy a picnic lunch on your own.

Early this evening, stroll the town of West Yellowstone and enjoy dinner on your own in a local restaurant

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Spend the day in the first of America’s national parks, set aside originally to preserve its remarkable geothermal formations—there are more geysers and hot springs here than in the rest of the world combined. The thundering falls of the great Yellowstone River have carved out a magnificent canyon.

Take in the natural phenomena of shooting geysers, and keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep, elk, coyote, grizzly, black bear, and other wildlife, as you spend your day in this park that remains 99% undeveloped—a true wilderness. You also stop at Firehole Falls, Midway Geyser Basin, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. You'll also visit Old Faithful, the famed geyser that has been spouting an average of once every hour for 100 years. During the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition in 1870, this famous geyser was officially given its name—the first in the park to don its own name. You'll rest here with time to explore on your own, and to enjoy lunch and views of this natural wonder.

Spend your evening relaxing at your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

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This morning, depart for your tour of Grand Teton National Park, which is sure to offer awe-inspiring photographic opportunities. Stop and take in the scenery at such favorite spots as Jackson Lake, Mountainview, and Jenny Lake. Lunch is on your own during your time in the park. You’ll also stop at the Chapel on the Transfiguration, a small 1925 log cabin with a commanding view of the mountains—the petite interior invokes the grandeur of the landscape with a picture window behind the altar.

Long before the pioneers came west, the rock formations of the Grand Tetons presided over a traditional summer home for the Native Americans. When the early “mountain men” ventured out this way, the area became a destination for hunters and fur-trappers. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1881, establishing Jackson Hole as a cattle-ranching center.

The skiing industry took off here in the 1930s and Jackson Hole remains a winter sports mecca to this day. In the summer, this year-round resort offers hiking, river rafting, camping, and other outdoor activities. After touring the Tetons, you’ll have a chance to walk about the Jackson Town Square.

Tonight is at leisure and dinner is on your own. Your Program Director can offer restaurant suggestions.

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Explore Jackson Hole at your own pace today. One of the world’s most splendid locations, the town of Jackson in Jackson Hole offers eclectic shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as more than 40 galleries and museums.

Perhaps you'll visit the National Musueum of Wildlife Art, with a permanent collection featuring paintings and sculptures by more than 100 artists, ranging from early American tribes through modern-day artists.

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After breakfast, begin your transfer from Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. En route, you'll stop for lunch on your own. Then, you’ll continue on through open valleys and mountain passes on your way to Utah’s state capital.

This afternoon, arrive in Salt Lake City and embark on a walking tour of Temple Square. Temple Square contains a monument to Brigham Young and the “Three Witnesses Monument,” honoring the three men who testified that an angel showed them the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. You’ll marvel at the awesome Tabernacle, dedicated in 1893, and famous for its amazing acoustics and Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The massive Temple with its six spires dominates the square.

Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant.

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You'll depart Salt Lake City this morning. En route to Bryce Canyon, you’ll stop at the legendary “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” which got its name from the Harry McClintock song—the colors of the hills reminded locals of the lyrics, and what began as a joke has stuck throughout the years. Enjoy lunch on your own during a stop en route to the park. Bryce Canyon National Park is a collection of natural amphitheaters carved out of pink limestone and sandstone. Here, the force of rivers, rain, frost, and erosion has sculpted a myriad of whimsical rock formations called hoodoos. They are shaped in colorful spires, bridges, and arches that resemble a fairyland. Truly, it’s a photographer’s paradise.

The Park itself contains majestic ponderosa pines and deep evergreen forests. It is named for a Mormon farmer, Ebenezer Bryce, who was one of the first settlers in the area. You will find it a spectacular place, and the high elevation of the Park gives it some of the best air quality in the country.

Tonight, you'll join your group for an included dinner at Ebenezer’s Barn, along with a cowboy show.

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After breakfast, depart for Zion National Park. This park encompasses the crossroads of the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin. You'll see where red desert rocks mingle with crystal rivers, aspen forest, and lush green canyons at this truly unique intersection of life zones. You'll want to pay close attention not just to the landscape, but also the sky—Zion is home to golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the rare endangered California condor.

Natural hanging gardens and scenic views of Zion’s most prominent mountain, the Great White Throne, line the path to Weeping Rock, where water seeps down from the cliff and forms a veil of "tears" spanning the rock alcove. Weeping Rock is the most popular of Zion's 14 trails, but the park is a destination for adventure seekers who come to rock-climb and hike The Narrows, an intense river trail that zigzags through glistening canyon walls.

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Get ready for a spectacular ride along the Kaibab Plateau and National Forest to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Less commercialized than the South Rim, the North Rim is wilder and more pristine.

Upon arrival, you'll sit down to an included lunch in the Grand Canyon Lodge dining room—where incredible views from its floor-to-ceiling windows are always on the menu.

After lunch, you’ll explore the North Rim. After spending time at this most marvelous of our country’s natural wonders, ride to Page, Arizona and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, crossing the Colorado River en route. The canyons, deserts, and spectacular cliffs that you pass on the huge Navajo Reservation are sure to be another highlight of your trip.

This evening, enjoy dinner on your own.

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This morning, travel to Lake Powell for an Antelope Canyon boat cruise. Formed in 1963 with the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell is 187 miles long, with almost 100 major side canyons, and a shoreline of more than 1,900 miles. Your boat cruise takes you through lovely scenery featuring dramatic rock formations soaring out of the water.

You will have time for lunch at the Lake Powell Resort and a walk around the area. Then enjoy time to relax at the hotel.

Or, view Antelope Canyon from another stunning vantage point—on land, in a nimble yet safe and comfortable vehicle. Ride to the canyon, where you will enjoy an easy walk through the canyon to see its awesome, natural sculptures of stone.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner and insightful exclusive Discovery Series discussion led by a local expert on the region's Navajo culture.

Please note: The Antelope Slot Canyon Experience optional tour is not available on Sundays.

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After breakfast, you’ll venture deep into Navajo country to the grandeur of Monument Valley. This rugged terrain may remind you of classic Western films. John Ford first used Monument Valley in his 1938 film Stagecoach starring John Wayne, and it appeared in several of his subsequent films. The stunning weathered sandstone buttes and windswept towers co-starred with “the Duke” again in Ford’s 1956 film, The Searchers. Experiencing it firsthand will give you a humbling picture of how vast and timeless this beautiful area is.

After an included lunch in Monument Valley, travel on to Durango, Colorado.

Tonight, you can ask your Program Director for restaurant suggestions in town.

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Today, you’re free to do as you please. Durango was founded as a rail hub to service local mines and smelters. Many of the original pioneer buildings are still in use, and today you might visit the historic districts of Third or Main Avenue for insight into that period of American history. Durango was featured in the classic Western film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Or, join an optional excursion to explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, the first archaeological park established in our National Parks System and designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. Mesa Verde, Spanish for “Green Table,” offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural landscape through the best-preserved archaeological site in the United States. More than 1,000 years ago, these cliffs were occupied by a group of people who built complex stone villages sheltered in recesses and alcoves high along the sheer cliff walls. The area remained occupied for about 700 years. Native tribes have long known of this site—as many as 24 Native American tribes can trace their ancestry to the cliff-dwellers—but the area was brought to worldwide attention when Europeans first beheld them in the 1800s.

This evening, enjoy a trip to James Ranch, an organic family-run farm and ranch in beautiful Animas River Valley. One of the owners will teach about the farm's history, and you will have the chance to explore the grounds before enjoying a family-style dinner made with ingredients from the farm.

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Today, you travel through some of Colorado’s untouched terrain aboard the coal-fired Narrow Gauge Railroad, which connects the two Victorian towns of Durango and Silverton. Rolling on the rails through 45 miles of beautiful landscape in turn-of-the-century passenger cars, you’ll get a real feel for travel as it was in the 19th century. Arrive in Silverton late morning.

Continue your journey to Grand Junction after an included lunch in Silverton and a visit to a local chocolate factory.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

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After breakfast, depart on your northward journey to the Denver metropolitan area, traveling through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery of the Rockies. Stop in the international resort town of Vail for lunch on your own, and arrive at your hotel in the afternoon.

This evening, revisit the highlights of your trip over a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers.

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Day 18

Denver • Return to home city

Meals included:B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Extensions

A treasure trove of fossil beds stretching back millions of years, the ever-changing landscape of Badlands National Park is one of nature’s most unusual vistas. With weather conditions constantly rearranging the topography, the badlands remain as mysterious as they are beautiful. Discover this fascinating region, while learning about the people who call the area home in visits to the famed Wall Drug and the wild west town of Deadwood.

Optional Tours

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Antelope Slot Canyon Experience

Day 13 $60 per person

View Antelope Canyon from another stunning vantage point—on land, in a nimble yet safe vehicle. Ride to the canyon, where you will enjoy a walk through the canyon to see the canyon’s awesome stone sculptures.

Please note: This optional tour is not available on Sundays.

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Mesa Verde National Park

Day 15 $85 per person

Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. Spanish for “Green Table,” Mesa Verde offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural landscape through the best-preserved archaeological site in the United States. More than 1,000 years ago, these cliffs were occupied by a group of people who built complex stone villages sheltered in recesses and alcoves high along the sheer cliff walls. The area remained occupied for about 700 years. Native tribes have long known of this site—as many as 24 Native American tribes can trace their ancestry to the cliff-dwellers—but the area was brought to worldwide attention when Europeans first beheld them in the 1800s.

Traveler Reviews

There's no better way to learn what a trip is like than from the firsthand experiences of your fellow travelers, and our Traveler Reviews are the real deal—unbiased and unedited—giving you an honest appraisal of the experiences that await you on this trip.

Please note: If you have taken this trip, please log into your My Account & return to this page. You will be prompted to post your review. Reviews are limited to 10,000 characters. Due to our moderation process, please allow up to 72 hours for your review to appear.

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Questions and Answers

Want to know more about one of our vacations? Now, when you post a question, travelers who have been on that trip can provide you with an honest, unbiased answer based on their experience—providing you with a true insider’s perspective.

Questions and Answers

Want to know more about one of our vacations? Now, when you post a question, travelers who have been on that trip can provide you with an honest, unbiased answer based on their experience—providing you with a true insider’s perspective.

Weather & Regional

Before you travel, we encourage you to learn about the region of the world you'll discover on this trip. From weather and currency information to details on population, geography, and local history, you'll find a comprehensive introduction to your destinations below.

Visit our “What to Know” page to find information about the level of activity to expect, vaccination information resources, and visa requirements specific to this vacation.

Weather in the West: Summer days can be quite warm, with highs in the 80s or even 90s, while nighttime temperatures fall to the 40s and 50s, due to the high altitude. Afternoon thunderstorms are common over the higher peaks of the Rockies, but overall, the summer climate is sunny and pleasant. If you are traveling in the fall, temperatures out West may be quite warm, or somewhat on the cool side, or—even more likely—a bit of both.

Utah

Wyoming

What to Know

For more detailed information about this trip, download our Travel Handbook below. This document covers a wide range of information on specific areas of your trip, from passport, visa, and medical requirements; to the currencies of the countries you’ll visit and the types of electrical outlets you’ll encounter. This handbook is written expressly for this itinerary. For your convenience, we've highlighted our travelers' most common areas of interest on this page.

Terrain

Transportation

Travel by 55-seat motorcoach, boat, and train

8 days feature 6-10 hours of travel by motorcoach

Cuisine

Food is based on the local cuisine

Visas

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this trip.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.

Vaccinations Information

For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website. You can also refer to the handbook for details.

Before Your Trip

Before you leave on your vacation, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

What to Bring

In an effort to help you bring less, we have included checklists within the handbook, which have been compiled from suggestions by Program Directors and former travelers. The lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You might also want to refer to the climate charts in the handbook or online weather forecasts before you pack. Refer to the handbook for details.

Insider Tips

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Special Places & Pastimes

The best place to socialize and hear music is the Diamond Belle Saloon (699 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado). The Diamond Belle is a part of the historic Strater Hotel. This old-time Western saloon has been a central feature of the community since the latter part of the 1800s. You will find saloon gals and barkeeps dressed in period costumes. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are ragtime piano players who play a lot of old-time classics and also take requests. The crowds love them. Also during the summer, there are reenactments of old Western shootouts! During the other times of the year, many local artists come in to entertain. When the saloon gets crowded the service can be a little slow, but the music, food, and ambiance are great. You’re in Western country so anything with meat and potatoes is good local fare.Photo courtesy of Imagesmith Photography.

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Iconic Items & Handcrafts

Navajo jewelry and handcrafts are great items to buy while driving through Navajo nation in Arizona and Utah. The Monument Valley Navajo Market, in Monument Valley, Utah, is located at the corner of the highway, as you turn to go towards Goulding's Trading Post. The market features dozens of local artists who sell beautiful handmade items crafted from silver, turquoise, and other semi-precious stones. Handmade art also abounds. Many of the pieces of work have representations of animal life that have a spiritual connection to the Navajo people. The work is exquisite, and the bargains are great.

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Unique Food & Drink

I encourage my travelers to try something different. In South Dakota, the official state dessert is called Kuchen. It is an old German cake recipe. Many of the homesteaders who settled this area in the late 19th century brought along these recipes and passed them down from generation to generation. In Rapid City, South Dakota, a restaurant called Dakota Thyme (502 Main Street) sells products grown in the region, and the restaurant’s owner, Julie, uses her own grandmother’s recipe to make Kuchen. Who cares about calories? It is delicious!Photo courtesy of Dakota Thyme.

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Local Culture & Etiquette

Out West, it is very common for the locals to give you a friendly nod or say hello. Westerners are very warm and friendly, so don't be afraid to say hello. I always greet travelers with a big "Howdy, Pardners!” Whether it's local or not, it’s fun! Another thing to know is that life moves at a slower pace out West. I always remind my travelers, especially those from the Eastern part of the U.S. who are used to life moving a bit faster, to embrace the slower pace. Relax and enjoy the beautiful places and wonderful people you meet along the way.

Program Directors

Accommodations

Main Trip

Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza

A dependable, well-maintained hotel with comfortable accommodations and public areas with a full range of services, amenities, and facilities.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Located near historic Rapid City, the First-Class Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza features an eight-story open atrium with cascading waterfalls, restaurant, and lounge. Remodeled in 2005, hotel amenities include an indoor pool, dry-cleaning/laundry services, as well as on-site ATMs and a front desk safe. Your air-conditioned room features a telephone, TV, radio, iron, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a private bath with shower and hair dryer.

Wingate by Wyndham Sheridan

A property offering full first class comfortable, quality accommodations, but limited public areas, dining, and facilities. Usually moderate in size.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Located within a 15-minute walk from the downtown attractions of Sheridan, The Wingate by Wyndham offers all the amenities to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. All rooms include wireless Internet access, an in-room safe for valuables, satellite TV, air-conditioning, a refrigerator and microwave oven, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Holiday Inn Cody

A dependable, well-maintained hotel with comfortable accommodations and public areas with a full range of services, amenities, and facilities.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

The Holiday Inn Cody is situated in the heart of the Buffalo Bill Village Resort. Amenities include an outdoor pool, health and fitness center, laundry/dry cleaning facilities, and high-speed wireless Internet access. Your air-conditioned room features a cable/satellite TV, telephone, coffee- and tea-making facilities, refrigerator, and private bath.

Best Western Desert Inn

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Not only located within walking distance of the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Superior Tourist-Class Best Western Desert Inn is also near many of the area’s historic sites, including Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center. Hotel amenities include an indoor, heated swimming pool. Your air-conditioned room features a refrigerator, microwave, coffee- and tea-making facilities, satellite TV, Internet access, and private bath with hair dryer.

Snow King Resort

A dependable, well-maintained hotel with comfortable accommodations and public areas with a full range of services, amenities, and facilities.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

At the base of Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming, the First-Class Snow King Mountain combines rustic styling with mountain views and modern amenities, including an on-site restaurant and lounge, barber and salon, outdoor whirlpools, sauna, day spa, heated outdoor pool, and a seasonal ski shop. Your air-conditioned room features a TV, complimentary high-speed Internet, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath.

Hampton Inn Salt Lake City

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

The Hampton Inn Salt Lake City Hotel is located near many of the city's main attractions, including Energy Solutions Arena and Temple Square. This Superior First-Class hotel features a fitness room and swimming pool. Your room includes complimentary high-speed Internet access, a TV, and private bath.

Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Bryce Canyon City, Utah

Located a short drive from Bryce Canyon, this hotel offers convenience in both its location and amenities. Each of the 164 rooms features air-conditioning, TV, and wireless Internet access. The hotel lobby, complete with exposed wood beams and a cozy stone fireplace, provides an excellent place to sit down and relax with travel companions.

Courtyard by Marriott

A property offering full first class comfortable, quality accommodations, but limited public areas, dining, and facilities. Usually moderate in size.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

This Limited Service First-Class, 153-room hotel offers sweeping views of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, and is within walking distance of Glen Canyon Dam and Antelope Canyon. Hotel amenities include two restaurants, a fitness center, and swimming pool. Each room features a TV, high-speed Internet access, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath with iron and hair dryer.

Best Western Plus Rio Grande

Essentially a First Class establishment with comfortable but sometimes simple accommodations. Public areas may be limited. Some first class features may be lacking, but generally provides all the essentials a guest requires.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

The Moderate First-Class Best Western Plus Rio Grande is situated near the historic district of Durango, just two blocks from Main Street and a short walk from the Durango Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. Renovated in 2004, amenities include an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Each air-conditioned room includes a telephone, satellite TV, wireless Internet access, coffee- and tea-making facilities, iron, and private bath with hair dryer.

DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction

A dependable, well-maintained hotel with comfortable accommodations and public areas with a full range of services, amenities, and facilities.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Located in the heart of the Western Colorado mountains, the DoubleTree Grand Junction is a comfortable home-away-from-home. Your room features air conditioning, satellite TV, a telephone, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Extensions

Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza

A dependable, well-maintained hotel with comfortable accommodations and public areas with a full range of services, amenities, and facilities.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Located near historic Rapid City, the First-Class Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza features an eight-story open atrium with cascading waterfalls, restaurant, and lounge. Remodeled in 2005, hotel amenities include an indoor pool, dry-cleaning/laundry services, as well as on-site ATMs and a front desk safe. Your air-conditioned room features a telephone, TV, radio, iron, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a private bath with shower and hair dryer.

Flight Information

Flight Options to Personalize Your Trip

You can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value.

Extend your vacation and lower your per day cost with our optional pre- and post-trip excursions

Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer

Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available

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What Makes This Trip Unique

Exclusive Discovery Series Events

Navajo culture discussion. Participate in a fascinating discussion on the region's rich culture, led by a local expert.

James Ranch visit. Enjoy a visit to a family-owned farm in Colorado, and enjoy a family-style meal here with farm-fresh ingredients.

Enjoy the opportunity to visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Yellowstone National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Discover the spirit of the American West

Visit 6 states and 5 national parks on one trip.

Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, following the path of settlers before you, and learn how this narrow-gauge railway has been steaming its way through the Rocky Mountains for 125 years.

The Lesser-Known Names of Yellowstone

The men who helped make the world’s first National Park a reality

by Philip McCluskey, for Grand Circle

Hayden’s survey, along with Moran’s sketches and Jackson’s photography, captured the imagination of the nation ...

The man most often associated with the founding of Yellowstone National Park is Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. It’s understandable; after all, Grant was the man who signed Yellowstone into existence in March 1, 1872, enshrining this two-million-acre plot of land as a “public park … for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

That day marked the creation of the world’s first national park—and the beginning of a new era of conservation, wildlife protection, and tourism that has since taken root all over the world. It’s not hard to see why this place was chosen. Yellowstone is geologically fascinating: There are more than 10,000 thermal features in the park, including geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles (fissures that emit steam from under the Earth’s crust). The park is also home to scores of mammal species such as bears, bison, moose and mountain lions. And of course, it is a stunningly beautiful landscape of grasslands, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls that has left visitors in awe for more than 140 years.

And while Grant can certainly be credited with officially designating the wilderness as a protected natural playground, he is far from the only one responsible for making this first great American park a reality.

After hundreds of years in which Native Americans were the sole visitors to this region, John Colter was the first person of European descent to explore it. Colter was a mountain man who was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and spent the winter of 1807-1808 discovering the area now known as Yellowstone on his own. In spite of brutal conditions (including temperatures that often dipped to 30 below zero), Colter made his way hundreds of miles through the unforgiving wilderness. When he returned to civilization, he told stories of geysers and gurgling cauldrons. Many dismissed his descriptions and playfully called the region “Colter’s Hell.”

After the Civil War, interest in the American West grew, and other people began to see that the area Colter described was more paradise than purgatory. One of them was Nathaniel P. Langford. While he lived a fascinating life during which he was a tax collector and a Montana vigilante, Langford was better known as a member of the famed Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition to Yellowstone in 1870. He was an active proponent of the idea of national parks—so much so that he would say his first two initials stood for National Park. Langford was chosen the park’s first superintendent, and Mount Langford, in the park’s Absaroka Range, is named after him.

While tales of the explorations of this region certainly piqued the interest of Americans, it is difficult to imagine Congress taking the unprecedented action of creating a national park without the members of the Hayden Geological Survey.

The survey’s leader was Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden, a geologist and physician who served as an Army surgeon during the Civil War, eventually rising to be the chief medical officer of the Army of the Shenandoah. After the war, he was named the geologist-in-charge at the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, and in 1871 was assigned to do a survey of Yellowstone.

Though dozens joined Hayden on the expedition, two men stood out (in addition to Hayden himself) for the impact they would have. They were not geologists, but artists: painter Thomas Moran and photographer William Henry Jackson.

Moran was an illustrator who was recommended to Hayden by the financier Jay Cooke, who spoke of the artist’s “rare genius.” Moran joined the team and drew 30 different places along their route, which captured the true beauty of the region and later the admiration of Americans. His career took off: Today, one of Moran’s paintings, The Three Tetons, can be found in the Oval Office of the White House. The painter was forever linked with the park, and he embraced the connection: he even signed some of his paintings “TYM” for Thomas “Yellowstone” Moran.

Jackson was recruited by Hayden after he’d taken photographs of scenery along the Union Pacific Railroad. As an artist in a relatively new medium, in a place that hadn’t seen cameras before, Jackson was able to create stunning photographs of scenery most of the world had never seen. As it had with Moran, the Yellowstone expedition launched Jackson’s career—one that would continue for another 70 years until his death in 1942.

Hayden’s survey, along with Moran’s sketches and Jackson’s photography, captured the imagination of the nation and the attention of its legislators. It wasn’t long before Congress passed a law to make Yellowstone the first of many national parks, and for the bill to find its way to U.S. Grant’s presidential desk.

On that day in 1872, President Grant did indeed make history. But he was merely the last in a long line of intrepid men who helped make it happen.

America's Majestic National Parks

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Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza

Located near historic Rapid City, the First-Class Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza features an eight-story open atrium with cascading waterfalls, restaurant, and lounge. Remodeled in 2005, hotel amenities include an indoor pool, dry-cleaning/laundry services, as well as on-site ATMs and a front desk safe. Your air-conditioned room features a telephone, TV, radio, iron, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a private bath with shower and hair dryer.

Located within a 15-minute walk from the downtown attractions of Sheridan, The Wingate by Wyndham offers all the amenities to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. All rooms include wireless Internet access, an in-room safe for valuables, satellite TV, air-conditioning, a refrigerator and microwave oven, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Not only located within walking distance of the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Superior Tourist-Class Best Western Desert Inn is also near many of the area’s historic sites, including Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center. Hotel amenities include an indoor, heated swimming pool. Your air-conditioned room features a refrigerator, microwave, coffee- and tea-making facilities, satellite TV, Internet access, and private bath with hair dryer.

At the base of Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming, the First-Class Snow King Mountain combines rustic styling with mountain views and modern amenities, including an on-site restaurant and lounge, barber and salon, outdoor whirlpools, sauna, day spa, heated outdoor pool, and a seasonal ski shop. Your air-conditioned room features a TV, complimentary high-speed Internet, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath.

The Hampton Inn Salt Lake City Hotel is located near many of the city's main attractions, including Energy Solutions Arena and Temple Square. This Superior First-Class hotel features a fitness room and swimming pool. Your room includes complimentary high-speed Internet access, a TV, and private bath.

Located a short drive from Bryce Canyon, this hotel offers convenience in both its location and amenities. Each of the 164 rooms features air-conditioning, TV, and wireless Internet access. The hotel lobby, complete with exposed wood beams and a cozy stone fireplace, provides an excellent place to sit down and relax with travel companions.

This Limited Service First-Class, 153-room hotel offers sweeping views of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, and is within walking distance of Glen Canyon Dam and Antelope Canyon. Hotel amenities include two restaurants, a fitness center, and swimming pool. Each room features a TV, high-speed Internet access, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath with iron and hair dryer.

The Moderate First-Class Best Western Plus Rio Grande is situated near the historic district of Durango, just two blocks from Main Street and a short walk from the Durango Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. Renovated in 2004, amenities include an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Each air-conditioned room includes a telephone, satellite TV, wireless Internet access, coffee- and tea-making facilities, iron, and private bath with hair dryer.

Located in the heart of the Western Colorado mountains, the DoubleTree Grand Junction is a comfortable home-away-from-home. Your room features air conditioning, satellite TV, a telephone, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Providing a respite outside of Denver, your hotel offers wireless Internet in common areas as well as laundry services. Your air-conditioned room comes with satellite TV, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a complimentary newspaper.

Antelope Slot Canyon Experience - $60/person

View Antelope Canyon from another stunning vantage point—on land, in a nimble yet safe vehicle. Ride to the canyon, where you will enjoy a walk through the canyon to see the canyon’s awesome stone sculptures.

Please note: This optional tour is not available on Sundays.

Mesa Verde National Park - $85/person

Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. Spanish for “Green Table,” Mesa Verde offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural landscape through the best-preserved archaeological site in the United States. More than 1,000 years ago, these cliffs were occupied by a group of people who built complex stone villages sheltered in recesses and alcoves high along the sheer cliff walls. The area remained occupied for about 700 years. Native tribes have long known of this site—as many as 24 Native American tribes can trace their ancestry to the cliff-dwellers—but the area was brought to worldwide attention when Europeans first beheld them in the 1800s.

Timothy Miller

99% of travelers rated Timothy as "excellent"

"I think Timothy was one of the best Program Directors I’ve had. He was always there when we needed him and his knowledge of the history of the area was excellent."

Mary Laura Stewart 9-time traveler from Summerfield, Florida

Get to know Timothy

Born

Elgin, Illinois

Resides

Phoenix, Arizona

Languages

English

Hobbies & Interests

Bicycling, hiking, cooking, reading, gardening

With us since 2006

I grew up in a midsize town in Illinois. My teachers in elementary and middle school were avid travelers, and they shared their joy of travel with their students. Hearing their stories led to a lifelong curiosity about the world and its cultures. Later, in high school, I joined the marching band, and during the summer we traveled throughout the country to compete. It was during my youth that the desire to travel was instilled in me.

When I was 19 years old, I was living outside of Chicago when I realized I did not like the cold weather. My grandparents, who were like parents to me when I was younger, had moved to Arizona. After visiting them more than 30 years ago, I fell in love with the state and have lived here ever since.

I studied marketing, worked as a loan officer in banking, and owned a children’s entertainment company before I became a guide in 1997. I have had the opportunity to lead tours around the world. But after the 9/11 terror attacks, I wanted to stay close to home. So I began leading tours out West with Grand Circle. It’s not only the beauty of the area—the wide-open spaces, the incredible landscapes—that I find awe-inspiring, but also the friendliness of the people.

One memorable experience was during a recent stop to Star Valley Chocolates, in the small town of Afton, Wyoming. While the store owners were out because of a sudden medical emergency, several local business owners stepped in to open the store just for our group. They served us ice cream, chocolates, and cappuccinos. Many travelers were moved by their sense of hospitality. But then that is the West. If your neighbor needs help, the community will often come to your aid.

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Privately Owned Fleet

Our worldwide fleet of private river ships—many of which are award-winning—was custom-built especially to meet the needs of our travelers. Whether you’re in Europe or Russia, you’ll travel exclusively with other Americans—for the ultimate in camaraderie.

Our Private Charters

Program Directors

No matter where in the world you venture with Grand Circle, you'll have one of our resident, expert Program Directors by your side, every step of the way. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching vacation.

Africa Land Tour featured video:

Behold the natural wonders of South Africa—from “Big Five” sightings in Kruger National Park to the serene, flower-ringed Knysna Lagoon. Watch our video to see travelers enjoying some of the discoveries that await you.

Reserve Early and SAVE

Refer and Earn

You can earn $5,900 or more in CASH when you refer new travelers to 2015 trips through our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program. The more new travelers you refer, the more CASH you earn—it’s unlimited! Watch our video to learn how.

The Leader in Solo Friendly Travel

With FREE Single Supplements, we offer the best value for solo travelers in the industry, guaranteed. Plus, our expert, resident Program Directors, Roommate Matching Service, and online forums help you make personal connections. Watch our video to see why solo travel is better with Grand Circle.

Frequent Traveler Credits

Every time you travel with Grand Circle and OAT, you'll receive a Frequent Traveler Credit worth 5% of the advertised cost of your trip, applicable toward your next Grand Circle or OAT vacation you take within one year.

Group Leader Program

At Grand Circle, we strongly believe that word of mouth is our best advertisement. And it works. Just ask the more than 500 Group Leaders who have chosen a Grand Circle trip for their travelers this year—and traveled FREE! Watch our video to learn how.

Travel Protection Plan

Watch our video to learn about the benefits of our Travel Protection Plan. You can cancel your Grand Circle vacation at any time—up to the day of your departure, and for any reason—and retain the FULL value of your trip, including your deposit.

Last Minute Travel Deals

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Travel Parties

Earn rewards up to a FREE TRIP when you host a Travel Party. A Grand Circle Representative will share a vacation presentation, a raffle, and exclusive savings for your guests. For each new traveler who reserves after your party, you’ll earn increasing rewards, valued up to $5,800.

Worldwide Discovery

Traveling with Grand Circle is about more than sightseeing. It’s about immersing yourself in other cultures, sharing the warm camaraderie of like-minded American travelers, and feeling comfortable, safe, and well-cared for every step of the way....

Grand Circle Advantages

Grand Circle invites you to travel with the leader in worldwide learning and discovery and bring your travel dreams to life, thanks to the principles that ground every one of our vacations: value, choice, discovery, and careful pacing.

The Grand Circle Experience

Watch our video of travelers on location on our River Cruises and Land Tours, and you’ll see the discoveries that await you—not to mention the spirited camaraderie of our trips, a quality that singles and couples alike often cite as a highlight of their travel experience.

Program Directors

No matter where in the world you venture with Grand Circle, you'll have one of our resident, expert Program Directors by your side, every step of the way. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching vacation.

Personalize your trip

Airport Transfers

We’ve listened to your feedback, and will now offer international airport transfers to and from your hotel to our travelers who choose to purchase their own airfare on any Grand Circle vacation as part of our Personalize Your Trip program, which allows you create the Grand Circle vacation that's right for you.

Inner Circle Club

Many Grand Circle travelers return to discover the world with us time and time again, and to show our appreciation, we've created the Inner Circle, a membership rewards program for travelers who've joined us on three or more vacations.

People and Culture

Grand Circle Foundation

Alan and Harriet Lewis created the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation with the mission of changing people’s lives through travel—which includes both the travelers who journey with OAT, and the local people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

Cuba People-to-People

Grand Circle Foundation is one of the few organizations sanctioned by the U.S. government to offer legal, fully-licensed travel to Cuba. By limiting our group size to just 12-20 participants on each of our two unique programs, we’re able to provide you with rich insights into Cuban life.

Facebook

Learn more about our Facebook online community, a place where you can stay connected with Grand Circle and your fellow travelers. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get advice, find travel companions, learn what’s new at Grand Circle, share your photos, videos, and stories, and more.

Traveler Celebration Events

Our regional Traveler Celebration Events are opportunities for you to meet other world travelers who share your passion for learning and discovery, swap travel stories, and give us feedback on how we can to make your experience even better—plus, you’ll be one of the first to preview upcoming trips.

Want to get to know us?

Join us for a free and informative Travel Presentation & Reception in your area EXCLUSIVELY for new customers, and discover why—with Grand Circle & Overseas Adventure Travel—your next trip will be the experience of a lifetime. At this event and luncheon, you will learn what sets our travel company apart from the rest.

Upcoming Events in Boston

If you live in or around Greater Boston, or plan to visit the area in the future, I hope you’ll consider joining Grand Circle in Harriet’s Corner—the special space in our Boston headquarters that serves as a physical embodiment of the “virtual” community we share online.

Grand Circle Gallery

Grand Circle Gallery in Boston invites you to view our extensive collection of vintage travel posters and breathtaking black-and-white photography from Alan and Harriet Lewis’ private collection, as well as special exhibits on other travel-related themes.

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